The 10 Best On-Mountain Restaurants at Ski Resorts In North America: Peak Eats

The 10 Best On-Mountain Restaurants at Ski Resorts In North America: Peak Eats

Lunch can be another high point of your ski day. With day lift ticket prices pushing $200, ski and snowboard areas have upped the quality of their high-country cuisine for food lovers. Forget burgers and hot dogs for lunch… Resorts now serve on-piste repasts such as Kobe-beef chili and grilled venison in elegant, sit-down settings. Over the years, I’ve tasted-tested at resorts from the Rockies to the Appalachians. Here’s my choice for the Top Ten at the Top—the best restaurants on North America’s most notable summits. Several have gondolas (small enclosed cable cars), so non-skiers/boarders can also lunch while they ogle the scenery.

“Fully loaded” never tasted better than at Blackcomb’s cozy log cabin that’s famous for Belgian waffles. Top them to taste with maple syrup, melted chocolate, berries, whipped cream–or (recommended) all of the above. If you’re eating on the outside deck, enjoy the antics of the sociable Whiskey Jack birds that beg for tidbits. [800-766-0449; Waffles $12.50 to $16.50] https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-village/dining/crystal-hut

“The mountain’s out today,” Seattleites say on clear days when Mount Rainier looms in full, 14,410-foot glory. And that snow-cone peak looks close enough to touch from this aerie with a wood-burning fireplace and antler chandeliers. Fresh, local ingredients star in dishes such as bison medallions and grilled halibut tacos with chipotle lime cream. [360-663-3085; gondola access. Lunch entrées $14 to $28.] https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/plan-your-trip/where-to-eat/summit-house/

Ragnar’s – Steamboat, Colorado

Named for a 1916 Norwegian ski-jump champion, casually chic Ragnar’s celebrates the Scandinavians who helped establish skiing in Steamboat Springs in the early 1900s. Set mid-mountain near the popular (and generally sunny) “o-clock runs,” the restaurant features Nordic dishes such as fiske suppe (seafood chowder) and köttbullar (meatballs) plus salads, schnitzel, and burgers. [800-922-2722; Lunch entrées $17 to $23.] https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/dining/ragnars

Named for the 10th Mountain Division that trained for World War II in the Colorado Rockies, the restaurant offers sweeping views of the Gore Range from its Mid Vail perch. Drawing from high-altitude culinary traditions from France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Rocky Mountains, specialties include chicken-and-pheasant potpie and beef short-rib bolognese over pappardelle. [970-754-1010; gondola access. Lunch entrées $20 to $31.] https://the10thvail.com

Collins Grill–Alta, Utah

Steep meets chic at this mid-mountain lodge where floor-to-ceiling windows survey the schusses down Mount Baldy’s runs. While vistas are snow-capped, the culinary outlook stays sunny with dishes such as grilled Utah trout, acorn squash stuffed with rice in a curry sauce, and chicken Marsala. Dessert is to-die–save room for the rich ooziness of Stuart’s Heart of Darkness molten chocolate cupcakes. [801-799-2297; Lunch entrées $16 to $25.] https://www.alta.com/visit/dining-guide/on-mountain#collins-grill/

After a meal at one of these top restaurants, you’ll feel like an Olympics champion on your afternoon runs.